Solo Training

Subject: Solo Training Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:38 am

Hi Mick,
You know there are lots of people out there who train alone either because that's their preference or have no choice because of their life's situation. Anyway, what are your thoughts, your recommendations, your suggestions on how to effectively and efficiently solo train for the purposes of self-protection? Could you also address the role of follow-ups and the considerations to take into account in training. And lastly, would you mind sharing a sample regimen that you would personally prescribe for a student.

Thanks much buddy...

Take Care,
Lito
_________________
The essence of true love is purposeful effort.

True happiness is attained through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Winners take chances and perceive pressure as a privilege.

Whatever you believe, it's true.

Joined : 15 Aug 2007 Posts : 7 Location : UK

That's a killer question Lito - I might have to split it up into sections somewhat, but here goes!

Training solo is the normal state of affairs for most people in this game I imagine - this sort of thing is a fairly specialised affair and usually individuals are likely to attend various seminars and courses where they learn and confirm new skills, but the training is often done in a garage or basement, mostly in a solo fashion. Obviously a great deal of folk supplement their skills with regular martial arts and/or combat sports classes, which hone great attributes and abilities.

I've been fortunate over the years to have had a regular supply of like-minded people to train with, but equally I've been on the solo path myself for much of the time and I must say I've managed to make the most of it.

The good news is that the material we're all pretty much utilising and advocating, minor cosmetic details aside, is virtually identical stuff - small and simple skillsets that generally focus on explosive hitting rather than grappling. This we can practice alone to a substantial degree, impact is fairly finite, black and white as opposed to the more subtle shades of grey that are encountered when we take hold of a resisting person. Punch or kick a bag on your own - no problem, but try and dynamically practice your Kimura alone and you're lost!

I feel - as in most cases - that to train effectively alone it is vitally important to fully recognise and accept the limitations of what it entails. This extends beyond the restrictions of the equipment used, and the lack of living thinking adversaries, but to the mental approach required too. One of the biggest problems associated with any form of training is when the focus becomes to get good at the training itself, rather than what the training is actually designed to do - this can be a fairly subtle but profound issue, but intelligent an objective training can avoid it.

I'll post more in a little while - and maybe even begin to answer the original question!

Mick

Joined : 15 Aug 2007 Posts : 7 Location : UK

One of the most important factors in any form of training is visualisation, done properly this turns hitting a leather bag or pad into striking a real target on an actual person, it turns a push-up into a punch and a pull-up becomes a grab - the list is endless.

I divide my training into phases covering skills, drills and tactics - both for myself and others. Before training a technique one of the most fundamental factors to ensure progress is to first understand it - not just the what and how, but the why - the reason and justification for it, the bigger picture. Once this is established, the training and development will be that much more complete, and it will be spontaneous in appliction - without it, it will always be a remembered thing that needs preparation to be employed.

Skill training revolves around perfecting technical expertise, this is best done without pressure in my opinion in almost laboratory conditions. I recommend working at an extremely slow pace initially, this ensures that you practice getting the thing right - working fast with power can hide very serious technical flaws which become more and more ingrained as time goes on. Working slow builds the skill, it establishes the optimum mind-body connection and is the one thing I stress most in training - no-one learns to drive at full-speed, over time speed can be added and power develops, but only once the mechanics of the movement are correctly installed as the base.

Use repetition, lots of it, and be self-critical and diagnostic once the basic movement patterns are established and work like you drive - only as fast as your skill will allow. Only count the good repetitions, and only build up speed once the movement starts to become automatic and consistantly correct - once form deteriorates, wind the speed down a couple of clicks until proper form is regained, and keep this process going. Using this method you will develop skill very rapidly, and it will have perfect form as it's base - good body mechanics are vital, especially considering that muscular strength can be absent very quickly due to fatigue, and if performance is based upon it this will be absent too - but mechanics will always remain.

Strength is the bonus, skill is the base.

I'll cover drills in the next installment!

Mick

Subject: Re: Solo Training Tue Oct 09, 2007 7:29 pm

Hi Mick,
Excellent stuff as usual pal! Thanks!

Looking forward to the next installment...

Take Care,
Lito
_________________
The essence of true love is purposeful effort.

True happiness is attained through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Winners take chances and perceive pressure as a privilege.

Whatever you believe, it's true.